WHY KINDHEART SCHOLARSHIP?

My Background

I grew up in a very poor area with no pipe-borne water, electricity, or basic amenities that an average child enjoys here in the US.

My Experience as a Principal of a Catholic School

I had the privilege of working as a principal of a Catholic school, during which I was exposed to the plight of parents in providing education for their children. It was painful to watch brilliant kids drop out of school because their parents couldn’t afford school fees. I frequently contributed my monthly remuneration and savings to enable some of them to stay in school.

My Journey to the US

I came to the U.S. in the Fall of 2017 as a recipient of a fully-funded scholarship for further postgraduate studies at Loyola Marymount University Los Angeles California. Here in the U.S., I realized that the dollar exchange rate in Nigeria allows doing more for the less privileged. This realization conditioned my spending, such that I was able to send money for the fees of a few less privileged students. When two of these students were ready to enter tertiary institutions in late December 2017, it became evident more financial help than I was able to provide would be needed.

ABOUT KHSP

KindHeart Scholarship started in the U.S. in late December 2017 as a private non-profit program committed to empowering less privileged Nigerian students by providing them a pathway to a brighter future. The scholarship program is funded through donations. KindHeart Scholarship takes new students based on the availability of funds.

KHSP scholarship opportunity is open to less privileged students in Nigeria, especially in the Catholic Diocese of Orlu Imo state, South Eastern Nigeria. There is no prejudice or favoritism in the selection process which involves recommendations from clergy or laypersons, as well as a comprehensive evaluation of academic performance and background checks. To remain in the scholarship program, tertiary students who qualify for this scholarship must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 each semester. Any student who falls below the recommended GPA shall automatically lose the scholarship. Those in the elementary and secondary levels must maintain satisfactory academic performance each term. If the family’s economic condition improves, the family, must, in conscience, report this to the founders of this scholarship and opt for removal. Any immoral or irresponsible behavior reported by the institution to which a beneficiary of this scholarship attends shall amount to a withdrawal of the scholarship privileges for a year. All beneficiaries of this scholarship meet with the administrative board or the founder regularly for interaction and feedback that will help improve the well-being of the students and the standards of the scholarship program. To learn more about our administrative guidelines visit the KHSP instructions and procedures.

THE CHALLENGES THAT GAVE RISE TO THE KHSP

It was St. Teresa of Calcutta who once said: “Do not worry about numbers, help one person at a time and always start with the person nearest you”. This wise saying has been our motivation. We strongly believe that while we cannot solve all the problems, the little seeds we sow today will blossom into a rich harvest tomorrow. Below are the problems we intend to address with this scholarship program.

Corruption and favoritism in the existing scholarship programs

There are many scholarship programs offered by wealthy Nigerians, but corruption and favoritism have made it impossible for such opportunities to benefit the children of the poor. Many scholarships conduct exams to choose candidates for sponsorship only to end up not using the exam as a criterion. In the end, those who should be the beneficiaries are left out. KindHeart Scholarship meets the individuals in person and brings them together as a group to be sponsored. Eligibility is based on an assessment of the economic status of the family and the attestation of the student’s intellectual capacity done by priests or responsible citizens. We have no room for discrimination or favoritism.

Financial difficulty in getting into tertiary institutions

Students from poor families can barely afford to finish secondary education and pay for the West African Examination Council (WAEC), the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board Exams (JAMB), and the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Exams. These exams involve money and not many can afford them; so the resultant effect is to not continue education once secondary school is complete. KindHeart Scholarship takes the responsibility of paying for these preliminary exams to ensure that the poor have the opportunity to be included.

Unavailability of financial aid for students

Another problem being addressed here is the unavailability of any form of financial aid in most Nigerian schools. There are no student loans or credit card services. Cash is required for every school fee. Most schools don’t even have installment payment plans. There is no federal work-study to help students pay their bills if they work on campus. No formal scholarship programs exist in schools. All these make it difficult for the average Nigerian child to get an education. What a horrible situation!

The poor condition of Government-owned schools

Public primary and secondary schools, especially in rural areas, are like refuse dumps. They lack adequate structures, educational facilities, and teaching materials. The teachers are poorly paid which makes their commitment unstable. Our leaders send their children abroad to the best schools and leave government schools within Nigeria undesirable for any child. This is why private schools are a flourishing business in Nigeria, most of which are owned by our leaders. KindHeart Scholarship sends its students to private, yet, affordable schools. The government has failed us woefully.

Poverty

Many families cannot send their children to good schools because they cannot afford them. Most of these families are large, making it even more difficult to educate their children. Our people are suffering. They need help!